Joanna James
As red-letter events for bookworms of all ages, literary festivals have come to be a part of every nation's cultural calendar. Celebrating the power of the written word, literary festivals are hosted in various destinations annually. Here's a rundown of the top 5 literary festivals on the planet.
Earning a spot on the Events and Festivals Blog and other websites which document famous festivals and events around the world, the Brooklyn Book Festival is a one of a kind literary showcase in the Big Apple. Tipped to be the biggest and grandest literary festival in all of New York the event is free to attend for anyone who is interested in the world of literature. With talks from authors hailing from 20 countries filling up its line-up, this mammoth event also includes a Saturday Children's Day instalment at the Metro Tech Commons for the benefit of readers below the age of eleven. The Sunday Festival Day which is held at the Brooklyn Borough Hall & Plaza is also part of the Brooklyn Book Festival.
Having opened its doors to the reading public back in 1983, the Edinburgh International Book Festival has grown to become a coveted literary event for all bookworms. Hosted in the charming Charlotte Square Gardens, the book festival remains one of the best reasons to holiday in Scotland's capital during the month of August. The 16-day festival sees more than 900 fringe events, as well as 800 speakers, take the stage. Some of the attendees include Nobel Prize winners as well as New York Times best-selling authors.
This week-long festival dedicated to literature s especially focused on celebrating the written word as well as ideas. With more than 300 separate events under one umbrella, the Sydney Writers' Festival is one of the best reasons to immerse oneself in the magical world of books. Bringing together some of the most iconic literary figures in Australia, the event's main function is hosting discussions of various works of literature and their thematic significance. Attracting nearly 100,000 attended each year, the festival also provides readers with the chance to meet and greet those who write screenplays, poetry, biographies and children's books.
Held in Brazil each year during July, the International Literary Festival of Paraty takes place in its namesake town of Paratay which lies on the shores of the Pereque-Acu River. The breathtaking atmosphere of Paratay with its mountain ranges, colonial heritage and beaches definitely lend itself to the festival in which local and international writers, playwrights, poets and other artists gather and curate exhibits. The five-day festival also includes Flipinha, a special initiative to encourage young readers to pick up more books.
Established by esteemed author Salman Rushdie, Michael Roberts and Esther Allen, the PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature takes place in locations all across New York City during April. The main focus of the event is fostering a discussion about the political challenges faced by writers and journalists in this era.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
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